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International leadership programmes at LiU promote democracy and inclusion

11 June 2025

Caroline Holm

Starting in autumn 2025, Linköping University (LiU) will host two international leadership programmes within the framework of the Swedish Institute Academy for Young Professionals (SAYP).

A lecture with students who are taking a summer course at LInköping University.
Through STRIDE and ERIK, Linköping University strengthens its commitment to international collaboration, democratic learning, and sustainable development.

The programmes STRIDE and ERIK bring together young professionals from countries in the EU’s Eastern Partnership to develop knowledge and networks that strengthen democratic institutions, digital governance, and gender equality.

The countries in the Eastern Partnership face both challenges and opportunities in governance and democratic participation. Key difficulties include institutional vulnerability, corruption, and limited trust between citizens and the state.

Mariana Gustafsson.
Mariana S Gustafsson, Associate Professor in Political Science.
“Closer cooperation with the EU can foster reform processes and alignment with European norms,” says Mariana S Gustafsson, Associate Professor in Political Science at Linköping University.

Technological development offers significant opportunities, but also ethical and security challenges.

“Sustainable change requires engagement with people’s values. Young professionals play a crucial role as future leaders and change agents,” adds Mariana S Gustafsson.

Gender equality and inclusive societal development

By systematically integrating a gender perspective into political processes, governance mechanisms, organisational structures, and within research and innovation systems, a more inclusive societal development is promoted.

Svjetlana Stekovic
Svjelana Stekovic, Senior Associate Professor in Engineering Materials.Photographer: Susanna Lönnqvist
“It’s about ensuring that individuals, regardless of gender, are given real opportunities to influence the shaping of democracy and to safeguard their civil rights,” says Svjetlana Stekovic, Senior Associate Professor in Engineering Materials at Linköping University.

She adds: “The programme also involves men in this work to foster joint engagement and long-term change.”

Through STRIDE and ERIK, Linköping University strengthens its commitment to international collaboration, democratic learning, and sustainable development – contributing to equipping the next generation of community builders in Europe’s neighbouring regions.

The programmes

STRIDE

The programme STRIDE – Strengthening Trust, Resilience, and Institutions of Digital Democracy in Europe (formerly SeGRID) targets future decision-makers in the public sector and civil society and will run until May 2027. Together with the University of Tartu in Estonia, LiU will offer over two years a combination of digital modules, an intensive summer week with study visits and networking in both Estonia and Sweden, as well as follow-up activities designed to initiate new collaborations. Participants will deepen their knowledge in areas such as digital democracy, AI and ethics, institutional trust, and inclusive societies. Through study visits and interactive workshops, they will gain concrete tools to drive change in their home countries.

ERIK

The programme ERIK – Equality, Rights and Inclusion Knowledge – is being implemented with a focus on gender mainstreaming in governance and leadership. The programme is led by LiU in collaboration with universities and organisations in Armenia, Moldova, and Poland and will run from November 2025 to November 2026. Participants will learn to develop gender equality plans in line with EU guidelines, as well as to follow up, evaluate, and integrate gender equality measures into their own organisations’ structures and processes. They will also receive practical training in drafting policy proposals, developing monitoring systems, and addressing gender equality in complex governance contexts.

Read more about the programmes

A lecture with students who are taking a summer course at LInköping University.

STRIDE

STRIDE empowers professionals to drive democratic change through digital innovation and inclusive governance. Participants gain practical tools and insights into trust, digital inclusion, and the foundations of digital democracy in Europe.

ERIK - Equality, Rights and Inclusion Knowledge

ERIK is a training programme by Linköping University under SAYP. ERIK is designed to equip young professionals from the EU Eastern Partnership (EaP) with the skills and tools to promote gender equality in governance, leadership, and policy-making.

Contact

Contact for STRIDE

Photo of Mariana S Gustafsson

Mariana S Gustafsson

Associate Professor, Docent

Contact for ERIK

Photo of Svjetlana Stekovic

Svjetlana Stekovic

Senior Associate Professor

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